RECUPERATOR

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention is related to recuperators, and more particularly to heating pressurized air in a recuperator capable of recovering exhaust energy from a utility scale combustion turbine.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The exchange of heat from a hot gas at atmospheric pressure to pressurized air may be performed in a recuperator, of which many conventional designs are available. These commercial designs are limited in size and have a poor service history when applied to large heat recovery applications, such as recovery of waste heat from the exhaust gas stream of a utility size combustion turbine. Waste heat from a combustion turbine may be used to heat compressed air stored for power generation purposes in compressed air energy storage (CAES) plants, or other process requiring heated compressed air.

[0003] CAES systems store energy by means of compressed air in a cavern during off-peak periods. Electrical energy is produced on-peak by admitting compressed air from the cavern to one or several turbines via a recuperator. The power train comprises at least one combustion chamber heating the compressed air to an appropriate temperature. To cover energy demands on-peak a CAES unit might be started several times per week. To meet load demands, fast start-up capability of the power train is mandatory in order to meet requirements of the power supply market. However, fast load ramps during start-up impose thermal stresses on the power train by thermal transients. This can have an impact on the lifetime of the power trains in that lifetime consumption increases with increasing thermal transients. For these types of applications, the physical size of the heat exchanger and the large transient thermal stresses associated with rapid heating of the recuperator during startup have proven to be beyond the capability of conventional recuperator equipment.

[0004] Common to all heat recovery air recuperators (HRARs), the temperature of the exhaust-gas stream declines from the exhaust-gas inlet to the exhaust-gas outlet of the heat exchanger. The amount of heat transferred in each heat exchanger tube row over which the exhaust-gas flows is proportional to the temperature difference between the exhaust-gas and the fluid in the heat exchanger tubes. Therefore, for each successive row of heat exchanger tubes in the direction of exhaust-gas flow, a smaller amount of heat is transferred, and the heat flux from the exhaust-gas to the fluid (e.g., compressed air) inside the tube declines with each tube row from the inlet to the outlet of the heat exchanger section. Therefore, for each successive row of heat exchanger tubes in the direction of gas flow, the temperature of the tube metal is determined by both the amount of heat flux across the tube wall and the average temperature of the fluid inside the tube.

[0005] For example, in a conventional recuperator, the temperature of the heat exchanger tube metal is determined by both the amount of heat flux across the heat exchanger tube wall and the average temperature of the flow medium inside the heat exchanger tube. Since the heat flux declines from the inlet to the outlet of the recuperator section, the temperature of the heat exchanger tube metal is different for each row of heat exchanger tubes included in the recuperator section.

[0006] Each manifold (header) of a horizontal heat recovery air recuperator (HRAR) that runs perpendicular to the exhaust-gas flow acts as a collection point for multiple rows of tubes. These headers are of relatively large diameter and thickness to accommodate the multiple tube rows. FIGS. 1a and 1b are two views of such an assembly 100, known as a multi-row header-and-tube assembly, utilized in typical heat exchanger arrangements. Included in the assembly 100 is a header 101 and multiple tube rows 105A-105C. As shown in FIG. 1a, each individual tube row 105A-105C includes multiple tubes. In the interest of clarity of illustration, FIG. 1b only shows a single tube in each tube row 105A-105C. Since each of tube rows 105A-105C is at a different temperature, the mechanical force due to thermal expansion is different for each tube row 105A-105C. Such differential thermal expansion causes stress at tube bends and the attachment point of each individual tube to the header 101. Further, also contributing to thermal stresses at the attachment point of each individual tube to the header 101 is a difference in thickness between the relatively thin-wall tubes as compared to the thick-wall header 101. Under certain operating conditions, these stresses can cause failure of the attachment point, especially if the assembly 100 is subjected to many cycles of heating and cooling. Accordingly, a need exists for a flexible recuperator for large-scale utility plant applications that is capable of both rapid heating and cooling as well as a large number of start-stop cycles.

[0007] Further, U.S. Publication US2003/0051501 shows a plurality of laminated plates, in which a plurality of heat transfer tubes bent into a zigzag form are arranged in contact with each surface of each of the plates, and the plates are laminated so that the heat transfer tubes on one of the adjacent plates intersect with the heat transfer tubes on the other of the adjacent plates. U.S. Publication US2006/0130517 provides a unit cooler for use in a refrigerated environment. The unit cooler includes a housing and at least one microchannel evaporator coil that includes an inlet manifold and outlet manifold. U.S. Patent 4,147,208 provides a heat exchange that acts as a recuperator includes a plurality of identical subassemblies, which includes a plurality of straight tubes. International Publication No. WO92/22741 provides an improved power plant employing a combination of compressed air storage and saturation of compressed air. The power plant includes a combustor which provides hot gas for driving a turbine. The compressor system is used to compress air which is stored in an air storage chamber. U.S. Patent US6,957,630 provides a steam generator includes an inlet manifold, a discharge manifold, and a heating-gas duct. The once-through heating area is formed of multiple single-row header-and-tube assemblies.

SUMMARY

[0008] According to the aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a recuperator including a heating gas duct; an inlet manifold; a discharge manifold; and a once-through heating area disposed in the heating-gas duct through which a heating gas flow is conducted. The once-through heating area is formed from a plurality of first single-row header-and-tube assemblies and a plurality of second single-row header-and-tube assemblies. Each of the plurality of first single-row header-and-tube assemblies including a plurality of first heat exchanger generator tubes is connected in parallel for a through flow of a flow medium therethrough and further includes a plurality of inlet headers connected to the inlet manifold. Each of the plurality of second single-row header-and-tube assemblies including a plurality of second heat exchan*ger generator tubes is connected in parallel for a through flow of the flow medium therethrough from respective first heat exchanger generator tubes, and further includes a plurality of a discharge headers connectcd to the discharge manifold. Each of the inlet headers is connected to the inlet manifold via a respective at least one of a plurality of first link pipes and each of the discharge headers is connected to the discharge manifold via a respective at least one of a plurality of second link pipes. Each of the heat exchanger tubes of each of the first and second single-row header-and-tube assemblies have an inside diameter that is less than an inside diameter of any of the plurality of first and second link pipes.

[0009] According to the other aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a compressed air energy storage system. The compressed air energy storage system includes a cavern for storing compressed air; a power train comprising a rotor and one or several expansion turbines; and a system providing the power train with the compressed air from the cavern that includes a recuperator for preheating the compressed air prior to admission to the one or several expansion turbines and a first valve arrangement that controls the flow of preheated air from the recuperator to the power train. The recuperator includes: a heating gas duct which receives heating gas flow in an opposite direction to a flow of the compressed air; an inlet manifold; a discharge manifold; and a once-through heating area disposed in the heating-gas duct through which said heating gas flow is conducted. The once-through heating area is formed from a plurality of first single-row header-and-tube assemblies and a plurality of second single-row header-and-tube assemblies. Each of the plurality of first single-row header-and-tube assemblies including a plurality of first heat exchanger generator tubes is connected in parallel for a through flow of a flow medium therethrough and further includes an inlet header connected to the inlet manifold. Each of the plurality of second single-row header-and-tube assemblies including a plurality of second heat exchanger generator tubes is connected in parallel for a through flow of the flow medium therethrough from respective first heat exchanger generator tubes, and further includes a discharge header connected to the discharge manifold. Each of the inlet headers is connected to the inlet manifold via a respective at least one of a plurality of first link pipes and each of the discharge headers is connected to the discharge manifold via a respective at least one of a plurality of second link pipes. Each of the heat exchanger tubes of each of the first and second single-row header-and-tube assemblies have an inside diameter that is less than an inside diameter of any of the plurality of first and second link pipes.

[0010] According to the still other aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an apparatus for heating pressurized air capable of recovering exhaust energy from a utility scale combustion turbine. The apparatus includes: a heating gas duct; an inlet manifold; a discharge manifold; and a once-through heating area disposed in the heating-gas duct through which a heating gas flow is conducted. The once-through heating area is formed from a plurality of single-row header-and-tube assemblies. Each of the plurality of single-row header-and-tube assemblies includes a plurality of heat exchanger generator tubes connected in parallel for a through flow of a flow medium therethrough and further includes an inlet header connected to the inlet manifold. Each of the plurality of single-row header-and-tube assemblies is connected to the discharge manifold. Each of the inlet headers is connected to the inlet manifold via a respective at least one of a plurality of link pipes. Each of the heat exchanger tubes of the single-row header-and-tube assemblies have an inside diameter that is less than an inside diameter of any of the plurality of link pipes.

[0011] The above described and other features are exemplified by the following figures and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Referring now to the figures, which are exemplary embodiments, and wherein the like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-row header-and-tube assembly utilized in prior art heat recovery air recuperator;

FIG. 1b is a front plan view of the multi-row header-and-tube assembly shown in FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a stepped component thickness with single row header-and-tube assembly for a heat recovery air recuperator (HRAR) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is front perspective view of a HRAR module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a top portion of the module of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an exemplary recuperator assembly having five HRAR modules of FIG. 5 assembled together and disposed in a heat gas duct in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the recuperator assembly of FIG. 7 employed in a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a stepped component thickness with single row header-and-tube assembly 200 that is not subject to bend and attachment failure due to thermal stresses, discussed above, is provided for use in a once-through type horizontal HRAR. FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and side views of the perspective view of the stepped component thickness with single row header-and-tube assembly 200 of FIG. 2. In the interest of clarity in the illustration, FIG. 2 only shows the outboard headers each having a single row of a plurality of tubes. However, the ellipsis illustrated in FIG. 2 indicates that each header includes a single row of tubes. More specifically, assembly 200 includes a first plurality of single tube rows 201A-201F (e.g., "first tube rows"), each first tube row attached to a first common header (or inlet header) 205A-205F, respectively. Thus, tube row 201A is attached to common header 205A, tube row 201B (not shown) is attached to common header 205B, and so on, through to tube row 201F being attached to common header 205F. Assembly 200 further includes a second plurality of single tube rows 201 G-201L (e.g., "second tube rows"), each second tube row attached to a second common header (or discharge header) 205G-205L, respectively. Thus, tube row 201G (not shown) is attached to common header 205G, tube row 201H (not shown) is attached to common header 205H, and so on, through to tube row 201 L being attached to common header 205H. Each common header 205A-205L extends in a y-axis direction and each first tube row 201A-201L extends in a z-axis direction, as illustrated. Such an arrangement as described above may be referred to as a stepped component single-row header-and-tube assembly discussed further hereinbelow.

[0014] Each header 205A-205F is connected to at least one first collection manifold (or inlet manifold) 215 (two shown) via at least one first link pipe 220A-220F (e.g., four first link pipes 220A shown). Thus, header 205A is connected to the collection manifold 215 via link pipe 220A, header 205B is connected to the collection manifold 215 via link pipe 220B, and so on, through header 205F being connected to the first collection manifold 215 via link pipe 220F. Each collection manifold 215 extends in an x-axis direction, as illustrated.

[0015] In this construction, a single row of tubes 201A-201F is attached to a relatively small diameter respective header 205A-205F with a thinner wall than the large header 215 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. This arrangement may be described by the term "single-row header-and-tube assembly" for the tube-and-header assembly. The small headers 205A-205F are, in turn, connected to at least one large collection manifold 215, using pipes that may be described as links 220A-220F. The combination of tubes 201A-201F, small headers 205A-205F, links 220A-220F and large collection manifolds 215 may be described as a first stepped component thickness with single row header-and-tube assembly 230.

[0016] In like manner, each header 205G-205L is connected to at least one second collection manifold (or discharge manifold) 225 (two shown) via at least one second link pipe 220G-220L (e.g., four second link pipes 220G shown). Thus, header 205G is connected to the second collection manifold 225 via link pipe 220G, header 205H is connected to the second collection manifold 225 via link pipe 220H, and so on, through header 205L being connected to the second collection manifold 225 via link pipe 220L.

[0017] Each header 205G-205L is connected to at least one second collection manifold 225 via at least one second link pipe 220G-220L. Thus, header 205G is connected to the second collection manifold 225 via second link pipe 220G, and so on, through header 205L being connected to the second collection manifold 225 via second link pipe 220L. Likewise, the arrangement with respect to the second headers 205G-205L and associated tubes 201G-201L is referred to a second single-row-and-tube assembly. As described above with respect to the first stepped component thickness single-row header-and-tube assembly 230, such an arrangement may be referred to as a second stepped component thickness single-row header-and-tube assembly 240.

[0018] Each tube of each tube row 201 A-201 L has a smaller diameter than each common header 205A-205L and each link pipe 220A-220L. Each common header 205A-205L has a smaller diameter and thinner wall thickness than each collection manifold 215.

[0019] As a result of this configuration, a high concentration of stresses during heating and cooling does not occur at bends and attachment points. More particularly, because the tubes of each tube row 201A-201L do not have bends, no thermal stress associated with bends exists. Also, bending stress at the weld attachment of each tube to each header 205A-205L does not occur because a bending moment imposed by tube bends during heating does not exist. Thus, the single-row assemblies 230 and 240 can withstand many more cycles of heating and cooling than the multi-row header-and-tube assembly 100 depicted in FIG. 1, and discussed above.

[0020] FIG. 5 is front perspective view of a HRAR module (once-through heating area) 300 including the first stepped component thickness single-row header-and-tube assembly 230 and second single-row header-and-tube assembly 240 of FIGS. 2-4 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The HRAR module 300 illustrates fluid communication of the first stepped component thickness single-row header-and-tube assembly 230 with the second single-row header-and-tube assembly 240 via a top portion 360 of module 300.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 6, the top portion 360 includes a plurality of third common headers 305A-305L connected to a corresponding tube row 201A-201L, and hence in fluid communication with a respective common header 205A-205L via a corresponding tube row 201A-201L. Furthermore, third common headers 305A-305F are in fluid communication with corresponding third common headers 305G-305L via a corresponding third link pipe 320AL, 320BK, 320CJ, 320DI, 320EH and 320FG, respectively.

[0022] For example and referring again to FIG. 5, a fluid medium W (e.g., compressed air) flows into first common header 205 from an inlet 362 of first manifold 215 via first link pipe 220A and flows through the first tube row 201A in a first direction indicated by arrow 364 in FIGS. 5 and 6. Fluid medium W then flows into corresponding third header 305A and then into third header 305L via third link pipe 320AL. Fluid medium W then flows into corresponding second tube row 201 L in a second direction indicated by arrow 366 in FIGS. 5 and 6. Second common header 205L receives fluid medium W from corresponding second tube row 201L and outputs fluid medium W from an outlet 368 of second manifold 225 via connection with second link 220L. The HRAR module 300 is shown with the outlet 368 facing an exhaust gas flow 370 from a combustion turbine, for example, but is not limited thereto, and the inlet 362 downstream of the exhaust gas flow 370. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be recognized that the manifolds 215 and 225 each have a cap 372 on an opposite end thereof relative to inlet 362 and outlet 368, respectively.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown one embodiment of a once-through type horizontal heat recovery air recuperator (HRAR) of the present invention incorporating fifteen (15) HRAR modules 300 (e.g., triple wide modules 300 in five sections, but not limited thereto), hereinafter generally designated as recuperator 400. It can be seen that the recuperator 400 is disposed downstream of a gas turbine (not shown) on the exhaust-gas side thereof. The recuperator 400 has an enclosing wall 402 which forms a heating-gas duct 403 through which flow can occur in an approximately horizontal heating-gas direction indicated by the arrow 370 and which is intended to receive the exhaust-gas from the gas turbine. HRAR modules 300 are serially connected to each other and positioned in the heating-gas duct 403. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, five modules 300 are shown serially connected together, but one module 300, or a larger number of modules 300 may also be provided without departing from the essence of the present invention.

[0024] The modules 300, common to the respective embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5, contain a number of first tube rows 201A-201F and second tube rows 201 G-201L, respectively, which are disposed one behind the other in the heating-gas direction. Each tube row of first tube rows 201 A-201 F in turn is connected to a respective tube row of second tube rows 201 G-201 L via a corresponding link 320 as described above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6 and are disposed next to one another in the heating-gas direction. In FIG. 7, only a single vertical heat exchanger tube 201 can be seen in each tube row 201A-201L.

[0025] Heat exchanger tubes 201 of a respective common tube row 201A-201F of the first tube row for each module 300 are each connected in parallel to a respective common first inlet header 205A-205F, forming a first single-row header-and-tube inlet assembly, discussed above and shown in FIGS. 2 through 5. Also, the heat exchanger tubes 201 of the first common tube rows 201A-201F of each module 300 are each connected to a respective third common discharge header 305A-305F, thus forming a single-row header-and-tube inlet assembly for each row 201A-201F. Likewise, heat exchanger tubes 201 of second common tube rows 201G-201L of a second once-through heating area are each connected in parallel to a respective common inlet third header 305G-305L, forming a single-row header-and-tube discharge assembly for each row 201G-201L, and are also each connected in parallel to a respective common discharge second header 205G-205L, thus forming a second single-row header-and-tube discharge assembly for each row 201 G-201 L. Each respective third common discharge header 305A-305F is connected to a respective common inlet header 305G-305L via a respective link pipe 320.

[0026] Each first single-row header-and-tube inlet assembly of each module 300 is connected to an inlet manifold 215 via a first link pipe 220A-220F, thus forming a first stepped component thickness with the single row header-and-tube inlet assembly 230. Also, each second single-row header-and-tube discharge assembly of each module 300 is connected to a discharge manifold 225 via a second link pipe 220G-220L, thus forming a second stepped component thickness with the single row header-and-tube discharge assembly 240.

[0027] Each outlet 368 of a second manifold 225 of one module 300 is connected to an inlet 362 of a first manifold 215 of a successive module 300 via a coupler 374, but for the first and last modules 300 connected in series. Flow medium W enters the first stepped component thickness with the single row header-and-tube inlet assembly 230 of a first module 300, flows in parallel though the tube rows 201A-201F, and exits the first stepped component thickness with the single row header-and-tube inlet assembly 230 of the first module through third link pipe 320A-320L into the second stepped component thickness with the single row header-and-tube discharge assembly 240 of the first module 300 and exits via the discharge manifold 225. Flow medium W then travels into an inlet 362 of a second module 300 connected to the outlet 368 of the first module 300. The inlet 362 and outlet 368 are connected with coupler 374.

[0028] A significant improvement in the flexibility of large recuperators can be achieved with an assembly of heat exchanger sections or modules 300 constructed using the configuration described above in Figure 7 as a "stepped component thickness with single row header-and-tube assembly". This new assembly uses single-row header-and-tube-assemblies throughout the recuperator to form the fluid circuits arranged in counter-flow required for a large recuperator 400, as illustrated in Figure 7.

[0029] The large recuperator described with respect to FIG. 7 accommodates partial air flow during startup to minimize venting of stored air. The heat exchanger modules are completely drainable and ventable. Vents (not shown) may provided at every high point (e.g., using threaded plugs) for future maintenance purposes. Lower manifolds 215, 225 may be fitted with drain piping and drain valves terminating outside the casing or heat gas duct 403.

[0030] The heat exchanger modules 300 are completely shop-assembled with finned tubes, headers, roof casing, and top support beams. Heat exchanger modules 300 are installed from the top into the steel structure. Tube vibration is controlled by a system of tube restraints 380, as best seen with reference to FIG. 5, proven in large heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) service. Using the combination of these two concepts will allow the production of flexible recuperators for large-scale applications capable of rapid heating and cooling and a large number of start-stop cycles. For example, FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the recuperator assembly of FIG. 7 employed in a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system having a capacity of around 150-300 MW.

[0031] A basic layout of a CAES power plant is shown in FIG. 8. The plant comprises a cavern 1 for storing compressed air. The recuperator 400 as described with reference to FIG. 7 preheats the compressed air from the cavern 1 before it is admitted to an air turbine 3. The recuperator 400 preheats the compressed air from cavern 1 via an exhaust gas flow flowing in an opposite direction, such as from a gas turbine 5, for example.. Following heat transfer to the cold compressed air from the cavern 1, the flue gas leaves the system through the stack 7. The airflow to the recuperator 400 and to the air turbine 3 is controlled by valve arrangements 8 and 9, respectively.

[0032] While the invention has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A recuperator (400) comprising:

a heating gas duct (403);

an inlet manifold (215); and

a discharge manifold (225);

a once-through heating area (300) disposed in the heating-gas duct (403) through which a heating gas flow (370) is conducted, said once-through heating area (300) being formed from a plurality of first single-row header-and-tube assemblies (230) and a plurality of second single-row header-and-tube assemblies (240); characterized in that:

each of said plurality of first single-row header-and-tube assemblies (230) including a plurality of first heat exchanger generator tubes (201A-F) connected in parallel for a through flow of a flow medium therethrough and further including a plurality of inlet headers (205A-F) connected to said inlet manifold (215), said each of said plurality of second single-row header-and-tube assemblies (240) including a plurality of second heat exchanger tubes (201 G-L) connected in parallel for a through flow of said flow medium therethrough from respective said first heat exchanger tubes (201A-F), and further including a plurality of discharge headers (205G-L) connected to said discharge manifold (225), each of said inlet headers (205A-F) being connected to said inlet manifold (215) via a respective at least one of a plurality of first link pipes (220A-F), each of said discharge headers (205G-L) being connected to said discharge manifold (225) via a respective at least one of a plurality of second link pipes (220G-L), and each of said first and second heat exchanger tubes (201A-L) of each of said first and second single-row header-and-tube assemblies (230,240) having an inside diameter that is less than an inside diameter of any of said plurality of first link pipes (220A-F) and of any of said plurality of second link pipes (220G-L).

2. The recuperator (400) of claim 1, wherein the heating-gas duct (403) is disposed horizontally for directing the heating gas flow (370) in an approximately horizontal heating-gas direction.

3. The recuperator (400) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating-gas duct (403) is adapted for conducting compressed air.

4. The recuperator (400) of one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of said plurality of second heat exchanger tubes (201 G-L) associated with said plurality of second single-row header-and-tube assemblies (240) is disposed upstream of said plurality of first heat exchanger tubes (201A-F) associated said plurality of first single-row header-and-tube assemblies (230).

5. The recuperator (400) of one of the foregoing claims, wherein said inlet manifold (215) has an inside diameter greater than an inside diameter of each of said inlet headers (205A-L); and said discharge manifold (225) has an inside diameter greater than an inside diameter of each of said discharge headers (205G-L).

6. The recuperator (400) of one of the foregoing claims, wherein said once-through heating area (300) is a first once-through heating area, said inlet manifold (215) is a first inlet manifold, said discharge manifold (225) is a first discharge manifold, and further comprising: a second once-through heating area (300) disposed in said heating-gas duct (403), said second once-through heating area (300) being formed from another plurality of first and second single-row header-and-tube assemblies (230,240), each of said another plurality of first and second single-row header-and-tube assemblies (230,240) including a plurality of first and second heat exchanger tubes (201A-L), respectively, connected in parallel for a through flow of the flow medium therethrough, each of said another plurality of first single-row header-and-tube assemblies (230) including a plurality of inlet headers (205A-F) connected to a second inlet manifold (215) and each of said another plurality of second single-row header-and-tube assemblies (240) including a plurality of discharge headers (205G-L) connected to a second discharge manifold (225),
wherein said first once-through heating area (300) is in fluid communication with second once-through heating area (300) by connecting the first discharge manifold (225) to the second inlet manifold (215).

7. The recuperator (400) of claim 6, wherein said second once-through heating area (300) is disposed upstream of said first once-through heating area (300).

8. The recuperator (400) of one of the foregoing claims, wherein each of said plurality of second heat exchanger tubes (201 G-L) associated with said plurality of second single-row header-and-tube assemblies (240) is in fluid communication with a respective said first heat exchanger tube (201A) of said plurality of first heat exchanger tubes (201A-F) associated said plurality of first single-row header-and-tube assemblies (230) via a top portion of the once-through heating area (300).

9. The recuperator (400) of one of the foregoing claims, wherein the top portion of the once-through heating area (300) includes a plurality of first and second common headers (305A-L) connected to a corresponding tube row of said first and second heat exchanger generator tubes (201A-L), respectively, a first common header of said plurality of first common headers (305A-F) is in fluid communication with a corresponding second common header of said plurality of second common headers (305G-L) via a corresponding third link pipe (320).

10. The recuperator (400) of claims 1 to 9, wherein said recuperator (400) is a heat recovery air recuperator.

11. The recuperator (400) of one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein the inlet manifold (215) includes a plurality of inlet manifolds wherein each of said inlet headers (205A-F) are connected to said plurality of inlet manifolds (215) via a respective at least one of a plurality of link pipes (220).

12. A compressed air energy storage system, characterized in that the compressed air energy storage system comprising:

a cavern (1) for storing compressed air;

a power train comprising a rotor and one or several expansion turbines; and

a system providing said power train with said compressed air from said cavern (1), the system including a recuperator (400) according to one of the foregoing claims for preheating said compressed air prior to admission to said one or several expansion turbines (3) and a first valve (8) arrangement that controls the flow of preheated air from said recuperator (400) to said power train.

Ansprüche

1. Rekuperator (400), umfassend:

einen Heizgaskanal (403);

einen Einlassverteiler (215); und einen Ablassverteiler (225);

eine Durchlaufheizfläche (300), die in dem Heizgaskanal (403), durch den eine Heizgasströmung (370) geleitet wird, angeordnet ist, wobei die Durchlaufheizfläche (300) aus mehreren ersten einreihigen Kopf-Rohrleitungs-Anordnungen (230) und mehreren zweiten einreihigen Kopf-RohrleitungsAnordnungen (240) gebildet ist;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:

jede der mehreren einreihigen Kopf-RohrleitungsAnordnungen (230) mehrere erste Wärmetauscher-Generatorrohrleitungen (201 A bis F) aufweist, die durch die Durchströmung eines Fließmediums dort hindurch parallel verbunden sind, und

ferner mit mehreren Einlassköpfen (205 A bis F), die mit dem Einlassverteiler (215) verbunden sind, wobei jede der mehreren zweiten einreihigen Kopf-Rohrleitungs-Anordnungen (240) mehrere zweite Wärmetauscherrohrleitungen (201 G bis L) aufweist, die zum Durchströmen des Fließmediums dadurch aus den zugehörigen ersten Wärmetauscherrohrleitungen (201 A bis F) parallel verbunden sind, und
ferner mit mehreren Ablassköpfen (205 G bis L), die mit dem Ablassverteiler (225) verbunden sind,
wobei jeder der Einlassköpfe (205 A bis F) mit dem Einlassverteiler (215) über die zugehörige mindestens eine von mehreren ersten Verbindungsrohren (220A bis F) verbunden ist,
wobei jeder der Ablassköpfe (205 G bis L) mit dem Ablassverteiler (225) über ein zugehöriges mindestens eines von mehreren zweiten Verbindungsrohren (220G bis L) verbunden ist,
wobei jede der ersten und zweiten Wärmetauscherrohrleitungen (201 A bis L) jeder der ersten und zweiten einreihigen Kopf-RohrleitungsAnordnungen (230, 240) einen Innendurchmesser aufweist, der kleiner als der Innendurchmesser jeder der mehreren ersten Verbindungsrohre (220 A bis F) und jeder der mehreren zweiten Verbindungsrohre (220 G bis L) ist.

2. Rekuperator (400) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Heizgaskanal (403) horizontal zum Leiten der Heizgasströmung (370) in eine ungefähr horizontale Heizgasrichtung angeordnet ist.

3. Rekuperator (400) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Heizgaskanal (403) zum Leiten von Druckluft ausgelegt ist.

4. Rekuperator (400) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei die mindestens eine der mehreren Wärmetauscherrohrleitungen (201 G bis L), die mit den mehreren zweiten einreihigen Kopf-RohrleitungsAnordnungen (240) verbunden ist, stromaufwärts der mehreren ersten Wärmetauscherrohrleitungen (201 A bis F), die mit den mehreren ersten einreihigen Kopf-Rohrleitungs-Anordnungen (230) verbunden sind, angeordnet ist.

5. Rekuperator (400) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei der Einlassverteiler (215) einen Innendurchmesser aufweist, der größer als der Innendurchmesser jedes der Einlassköpfe (205 A bis L) ist; und wobei der Ablassverteiler (225) einen Innendurchmesser aufweist, der größer als der Innendurchmesser jedes der Ablassköpfe (205 G bis L) ist.

6. Rekuperator (400) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei die Durchlaufheizfläche (300) eine erste Durchlaufheizfläche ist, wobei der Einlassverteiler (215) ein erster Einlassverteiler ist, wobei der Ablassverteiler (225) ein erster Ablassverteiler ist, wobei der Rekuperator ferner Folgendes umfasst:

eine zweite Durchlaufheizfläche (300), die in dem Heizgaskanal (403) angeordnet ist, wobei die zweite Durchlaufheizfläche (300) aus mehreren anderen ersten und zweiten einreihigen Kopf-Rohrleitungs-Anordnungen (230, 240) gebildet ist,

wobei jede der mehreren anderen ersten und zweiten einreihigen Kopf-Rohrleitungs-Anordnungen (230, 240) mehrere erste bzw. zweite Wärmetauscher-Generatorrohrleitungen (201 A bis L) aufweist, die durch eine Durchströmung des Fließmediums dort hindurch parallel verbunden sind,
wobei jede der anderen mehreren ersten, einreihigen Kopf-Rohrleitungs-Anordnungen (230) mehrere Einlassköpfe (205 A bis F) aufweist, die mit einem zweiten Einlassverteiler (215) verbunden sind, und wobei jede der anderen mehreren zweiten einreihigen Kopf-Rohrleitungs-Anordnungen (240) mehrere Ablassköpfe (205 G bis L) aufweist, die mit einem zweiten Ablassverteiler (225) verbunden sind,
wobei die erste Durchlaufheizfläche (300) mit der zweiten Durchlaufheizfläche (300) durch Verbinden des ersten Ablassverteilers (225) mit dem zweiten Einlassverteiler (215) in Fluidverbindung steht.

7. Rekuperator (400) nach Anspruch 6, wobei die zweite Durchlaufheizfläche (300) stromaufwärts der ersten Durchlaufheizfläche (300) angeordnet ist.

8. Rekuperator (400) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei jede der mehreren zweiten Wärmetauscherrohrleitungen (201 G bis L), die mit den mehreren zweiten einreihigen Kopf-RohrleitungsAnordnungen (240) verbunden sind, mit einer zugehörigen ersten Wärmetauscherrohrleitung (201 A) der mehreren ersten Wärmetauscherohrleitungen (201 A bis F), die mit den mehreren ersten einreihigen Kopf-RohrleitungsAnordnungen (230) über einen oberen Abschnitt der Durchlaufheizfläche (300) verbunden sind, in Fluidverbindung steht.

9. Rekuperator (400) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, wobei der obere Abschnitt der Durchlaufheizfläche (300) mehrere erste und zweite gemeinsame Köpfe (305 A bis L) aufweist, die mit einer entsprechenden Rohrleitungsreihe der ersten bzw. zweiten Wärmetauscherrohrleitungen (201 A bis L) verbunden sind, wobei ein erster gemeinsamer Kopf der mehreren ersten gemeinsamen Köpfe (305 A bis F) mit einem entsprechenden zweiten gemeinsamen Kopf der mehreren zweiten gemeinsamen Köpfe (305 G bis L) über ein entsprechendes drittes Verbindungsrohr (320) in Fluidverbindung steht.

10. Rekuperator (400) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei der Rekuperator (400) ein Wärmerückgewinnungs-Luftrekuperator ist.

11. Rekuperator (400) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei der Einlassverteiler (215) mehrere Einlassverteiler aufweist, wobei jeder der Einlassköpfe (205 A bis F) mit den mehreren Einlassverteilern (215) über ein zugehöriges mindestens eines von mehreren Verbindungsrohren (220) verbunden ist.

12. Druckluft-Energiespeichersystem, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Druckluft-Energiespeichersystem Folgendes umfasst:

eine Kaverne (1) zum Speichern von Druckluft;

ein Triebwerk, umfassend einen Rotor und eine oder mehrere Expansionsturbinen; und

ein System, das dem Triebwerk die Druckluft aus der Kaverne (1) bereitstellt, wobei das System einen Rekuperator (400) nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche zum Vorwärmen der Druckluft vor Einlass davon in eine oder mehrere Expansionsturbinen (3) und eine erste Ventilanordnung (8) aufweist, welche die Strömung von vorgewärmter Luft aus dem Rekuperator (400) zu dem Triebwerk steuert.

Revendications

1. Récupérateur (400) comprenant :

un conduit de gaz de chauffage (403) ;

un collecteur d'admission (215) ; et

un collecteur d'évacuation (225) ;

une zone de chauffage à passage unique (300) disposée dans le conduit de gaz de chauffage (403) à travers lequel est guidé un flux de gaz de chauffage (370), ladite zone de chauffage à passage unique (300) étant formée à partir d'une pluralité de premiers ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (230) à rangée unique et d'une pluralité de deuxièmes ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (240) à rangée unique ; caractérisé en ce que :

chaque ensemble de ladite pluralité de premiers ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (230) à rangée unique comporte une pluralité de premiers tubes de générateur d'échangeur de chaleur (201A-F) connectés en parallèle pour un écoulement traversant d'un milieu d'écoulement à travers ceux-ci et comporte en outre une pluralité de distributeurs d'admission (205A-F) connectés audit collecteur d'admission (215), chaque dit ensemble de ladite pluralité de deuxièmes ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (240) à rangée unique comportant une pluralité de deuxièmes tubes d'échangeur de chaleur (201G-L) connectés en parallèle pour un écoulement traversant dudit milieu d'écoulement à travers ceux-ci à partir de dits premiers tubes d'échangeur de chaleur (201A-F) respectifs, et comportant en outre une pluralité de distributeurs d'évacuation (205G-L) connectés audit collecteur d'évacuation (225), chacun desdits distributeurs d'admission (205A-F) étant connecté audit collecteur d'admission (215) par le biais d'au moins l'un respectif parmi une pluralité de premiers tuyaux de liaison (220A-F), chacun desdits distributeurs d'évacuation (205G-L) étant connecté audit collecteur d'évacuation (225) par le biais d'au moins l'un respectif parmi une pluralité de deuxièmes tuyaux de liaison (220G-L), et chacun desdits premiers et deuxièmes tubes d'échangeur de chaleur (201A-L) de chacun desdits premiers et deuxièmes ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (230, 240) à rangée unique ayant un diamètre intérieur qui est inférieur à un diamètre intérieur de n'importe quel tuyau parmi ladite pluralité de premiers tuyaux de liaison (220A-F) et de n'importe quel tuyau parmi ladite pluralité de deuxièmes tuyaux de liaison (220G-L).

2. Récupérateur (400) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le conduit de gaz de chauffage (403) est disposé horizontalement pour diriger le flux de gaz de chauffage (370) dans une direction de gaz de chauffage approximativement horizontale.

3. Récupérateur (400) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le conduit de gaz de chauffage (403) est conçu pour guider de l'air comprimé.

4. Récupérateur (400) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel au moins l'un parmi ladite pluralité de deuxièmes tubes d'échangeur de chaleur (201G-L) associée à ladite pluralité de deuxièmes ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (240) à rangée unique est disposé en amont de ladite pluralité de premiers tubes d'échangeur de chaleur (201A-F) associée à ladite pluralité de premiers ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (230) à rangée unique.

5. Récupérateur (400) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit collecteur d'admission (215) a un diamètre intérieur supérieur à un diamètre intérieur de chacun desdits distributeurs d'admission (205A-L) ; et ledit collecteur d'évacuation (225) a un diamètre intérieur supérieur à un diamètre intérieur de chacun desdits distributeurs d'évacuation (205G-L).

6. Récupérateur (400) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite zone de chauffage à passage unique (300) est une première zone de chauffage à passage unique, ledit collecteur d'admission (215) est un premier collecteur d'admission, ledit collecteur d'évacuation (225) est un premier collecteur d'évacuation, et comprenant en outre : une deuxième zone de chauffage à passage unique (300) disposée dans ledit conduit de gaz de chauffage (403), ladite deuxième zone de chauffage à passage unique (300) étant formée à partir d'une autre pluralité de premiers et deuxièmes ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (230, 240) à rangée unique, chaque ensemble parmi ladite autre pluralité de premiers et deuxièmes ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (230, 240) à rangée unique comportant une pluralité de premiers et deuxièmes tubes d'échangeur de chaleur (201A-L), respectivement, connectés en parallèle pour un écoulement traversant du milieu d'écoulement à travers ceux-ci, chaque ensemble parmi ladite autre pluralité de premiers ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (230) à rangée unique comportant une pluralité de distributeurs d'admission (205A-F) connectés à un deuxième collecteur d'admission (215) et chaque ensemble parmi ladite autre pluralité de deuxièmes ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (240) à rangée unique comportant une pluralité de distributeurs d'évacuation (205G-L) connectés à un deuxième collecteur d'évacuation (225),
ladite première zone de chauffage à passage unique (300) étant en communication fluidique avec ladite deuxième zone de chauffage à passage unique (300) en connectant le premier collecteur d'évacuation (225) au deuxième collecteur d'admission (215).

7. Récupérateur (400) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel ladite deuxième zone de chauffage à passage unique (300) est disposée en amont de ladite première zone de chauffage à passage unique (300).

8. Récupérateur (400) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chaque tube parmi ladite pluralité de deuxièmes tubes d'échangeur de chaleur (201G-L) associée à ladite pluralité de deuxièmes ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (240) à rangée unique est en communication fluidique avec un dit premier tube d'échangeur de chaleur (201A) respectif de ladite pluralité de premiers tubes d'échangeur de chaleur (201A-F) associée à ladite pluralité de premiers ensembles à collecteur et à tubes (230) à rangée unique par le biais d'une partie supérieure de la zone de chauffage à passage unique (300).

9. Récupérateur (400) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la partie supérieure de la zone de chauffage à passage unique (300) comporte une pluralité de premiers et deuxièmes distributeurs communs (305A-L) connectés à une rangée de tubes correspondante desdits premiers et deuxièmes tubes de générateur d'échangeur de chaleur (201A-L), respectivement, un premier distributeur commun de ladite pluralité de premiers distributeurs communs (305A-F) est en communication fluidique avec un deuxième distributeur commun correspondant de ladite pluralité de deuxièmes distributeurs communs (305G-L) par le biais d'un troisième tuyau de liaison (320) correspondant.

10. Récupérateur (400) selon les revendications 1 à 9, ledit récupérateur (400) étant un récupérateur de chaleur à air.

11. Récupérateur (400) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel le collecteur d'admission (215) comporte une pluralité de collecteurs d'admission, chacun desdits distributeurs d'admission (205A-F) étant connecté à ladite pluralité de collecteurs d'admission (215) par le biais d'au moins un tuyau respectif parmi une pluralité de tuyaux de liaison (220).

12. Système de stockage d'énergie sous forme d'air comprimé, caractérisé en ce que le système de stockage d'énergie sous forme d'air comprimé comprend :

une caverne (1) pour stocker de l'air comprimé ;

un groupe motopropulseur comprenant un rotor et une ou plusieurs turbines de détente ; et

un système fournissant audit groupe motopropulseur ledit air comprimé provenant de ladite caverne (1), le système comportant un récupérateur (400) selon l'une des revendications précédentes pour préchauffer ledit air comprimé avant l'admission dans ladite une turbine de détente ou lesdites plusieurs turbines de détente (3) et un premier ensemble de soupape (8) qui régule le flux d'air préchauffé à partir dudit récupérateur (400) jusqu'audit groupe motopropulseur.

Drawing